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Simply bonding
SAY James Bond and just one car springs to mind - Aston Martin. It's a unique blend of craftsmanship and sporting heritage that has been the best of British for decades.
True, it has had tough times but now under the ownership of Prodrive supremo David Richards its prospects of enhanced success on road and track grow daily.
Only this summer Astons won a fistful of trophies with class victories in the demanding Le Mans and Nurburgring 24-hour classics.
A parked Aston Martin is a car that quickly draws a crowd and longing looks. See one go by and the exhaust note is a symphony.
Drive one and the orchestral surround sound in the cocoon of hand-stitched hide and shiny metal is pure ecstasy.
It is a machine to be driven that is a symbol of success and good taste rather than some other prestige cars that cost far more.
There is a rarity element for last year just 2,190 - about a third of production - were registered in the UK against nearly four times as many Porsches.
Cost is, of course, a key factor and the old saying "If you have to ask how much you probably can't afford it" holds true to some extent.
There are in fact several current Aston models, from the 4.3 litre V8 Vantage coupe at £83,000 to the 5.9 V12 DBS at £160,000.
But you can enjoy one for less if you join a supercar club like Basingstoke-based Velocita which provided the test car, a 175mph 4.3 litre V8 Vantage Coupe.
It also has a Ferrari, two Lamborghinis, a Bentley Continental GT Convertible, and a Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet.
For under £14,000 you can drive not just one but all of these cars for a combined total of up to 5,000 miles over up to 40 days in the course of a year. (details at clubvelocita.com).
The Vantage tested was perfection to look at with its timeless architecture, the construction of alloy, magnesium and composites (front wings, tailgate and sills).
Panel fit is so precise the bonnet extends right from the front of car over the trademark metal grille - no nosecone - to the screen, with a heat shimmer soon rising from the louvres.
To drive it was even better. Unlike some sports cars it's easy to slip into the cossetting leather bucket seats separated by the centre console with shiny gearlever gate.
Ignition on, check neutral, depress clutch and press the start button and the V8 bursts into life, needles flickering around the silver gauges.
Blip the throttle and the engine sings then pop-pops back through the sports exhaust's twin tailpipes.
Maximum power is at 7,000rpm but I'm not on a track so I don't see that. Throttle response is instantaneous for assertive manouevres - but not 007-style hair-triggered.
Despite its racing heritage the car is a joy to drive, with firm but smooth ride, taut handling through bends and roundabouts, excellent all-round visibility - everything you'd expect.
Downside? Topping up the tank - with 80 litres (17.6gal) capacity that's £100 for just under 300 miles. Upside? One of those seats needs that Bond girl! Want to buy? (the car): Built to order, six to nine months (18 months for a DBS).
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